Good morning, Anna!
I decided to take my daily walk after breakfast in case the rain returns later today. Anna’s Hummingbird, Steller’s Jay, Chickadee, all near Taylor Park in SE Burnaby.
Category Archives: Photography
Snow Geese, Hawk, Eagles n More at Iona Beach
I had a rewarding photo shoot at Iona Beach Regional Park near YVR today. It’s part of Metro Vancouver’s amazing regional parks system.
The previous post was of the lush blue skies and mountains, while this one focusses on some of the bird life I encountered today.
I spotted this gorgeous hawk as I was leaving.
Bald Eagles
There were hundreds of Snow Geese
Anna’s Hummingbird
Golden-Crowned Sparrow doing a fan dance. . .
Sunny Blues at Iona Beach Regional Park
I spent several hours at Iona Beach Regional Park near YVR today. The parking lot was overflowing with people out enjoying a rare sunny day. But you didn’t have to walk far on the trails to find yourself almost completely alone.
Byrne Creek in SE Burnaby Runs Milky Again
During my pre-lunch south Burnaby ramble, I noticed that Byrne Creek was running milky blue again. I called it in to City of Burnaby Environmental. This has happened several times over the last couple of months. Sigh. . .
UPDATE: Staff traced to construction site. It is illegal to pump out construction sites into street drains without remediation/filtration. Thank you for the swift response, and thanks to others who apparently reported this, too!
All Drains Lead to Habitat!
Birding at Fraser Foreshore Park
Lots of bird viewing opportunities at Fraser Foreshore Park in Burnaby, BC, today.
Northern Flicker
Eagle
Red-tailed Hawk
Great Blue Heron
Spotted Towhee
White-crowned Sparrow
Hairy Woodpecker?
Bufflehead couple
Fraser Foreshore Late Light
Rich colours at Fraser Foreshore Park in south Burnaby late this afternoon.
Gull Plays With Golf Ball at Piper Spit, Burnaby
Gull playing with golf ball at Piper Spit on Burnaby Lake in Burnaby, BC.
At first I thought it might have mistaken the golf ball for shellfish, and was trying to crack it open, but after observing for awhile, I think it was just having fun.
It would drop it and try to catch it again in mid-air.
The sad thing is there were dozens of golf balls in the shallows to the east of the spit.
Could they be washing down Eagle Creek all the way from Burnaby Mountain Golf Course?
Birding at Burnaby Lake
There’s always lots of action at Piper Spit on Burnaby Lake. And lots of people out enjoying the sunshine.
Green-winged Teal
Mallard
Mallard
Mandarin Duck
Northern Pintail
Wood Duck
Scaup
Scaup
Hairy Woodpecker
Spotted Towhee
Unfortunately we found another dead Pine Siskin. Samonellosis is spreading among these cute wee birds. Yumi picked it up using some sticks so as not to touch it, and buried it, hopefully to help contain the spread.
Robert Burnaby Park Forest Sculptures
We had a blast wandering Robert Burnaby Park in Burnaby, BC, today searching for the forest sculptures created by Vancouver artist Nickie Lewis.
UPDATE (2/2): This was not approved by Burnaby Parks. While entertaining, and getting folks out into nature, there are also drawbacks like habitat denigration, erosion, etc.
Apparently the artist was planning to do more of these in other Burnaby parks, including Byrne Creek Ravine Park, where I’ve volunteered as a streamkeeper for over 20 years. Byrne Creek Ravine Park has a very fragile riparian zone, and attracting hundreds of people to trample through it would be disastrous.
When I heard this, I contacted Burnaby Parks, and was assured that they are aware, and have contacted the artist who has agreed to stop these activities.
Yes, I have to admit we enjoyed exploring Robert Burnaby Park, but upon further thought, it’s best to try to maintain what little urban biodiversity that we have left. . .
Eagles, Waterfowl at Centennial Beach in Delta, BC
Eagles, Wigeons, Buffleheads, Northern Shovelers. . . at Centennial Beach in Delta, BC.
